Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures

Welcome to the Department of Foreign Languages!

Language is the embodiment of culture and an expression of a people's way of thinking, feeling, and viewing the world. We have an increasing need to communicate directly with other peoples to achieve mutual understanding. Learning a new language opens new avenues of thought, new modes of expression, and new models of understanding. The study of foreign languages and literatures liberates the student from the confines of one culture.

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures is a group of individuals dedicated to helping connect our local students to the wider world community. We help our students connect with other people and cultures by helping them understand the thinking and worldviews of other cultures and parts of the world. This takes place through the study of the classics of great literature as well as via popular forms of communication.

Undergraduate students of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures develop an advanced level of proficiency in the target language over the course of their studies here. We help our students acquire an important skill set: concrete language abilities and cognitive tools that they can use for the rest of their lives. Along with the building of language skills, our department also provides opportunities here in the local community to foster cosmopolitanism and international consciousness, allowing our students to more easily embrace globalism and recognize their role as citizens of the world.

Faculty at the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures also educate future language teachers for Alaska and beyond. Our degree programs serve a need by producing graduates that strengthen the Alaskan workforce, particularly in the area of language teaching.In this way, our work impacts not only UAF students, but also the quality of language education in the entire state.

The Foreign Languages & Literatures department and the offices of all department faculty members are located on 6th floor of the Gruening building.

Bianca Zuckerman Spanish Study Abroad Scholarship

The Spanish faculty at UAF will be accepting applications in Spring 2014 for the Bianca Zuckerman Spanish Study Abroad Scholarship. This year $5000 will be awarded to one Spanish major to be used towards a Spanish language study abroad experience during the coming 2014-15 academic year.

Qualifications:

• Must be a UAF Foreign Languages major (Spanish).

• Must have competed Spanish 202 before start of study abroad program.

• Have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0 in Spanish, and 2.5 overall.

• Must have applied to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country at the time of scholarship application (see http://www.uaf.edu/oip/).

Application Materials:

• Two letters of recommendation by academic faculty (who are not on the scholarship award committee).

• Application essay in English (see below).

• Short Spanish language sample (see below).

• Transcript (must include GPA).

Essay:

Please write an essay in English of 800-1000 words describing the benefits and importance to you of a study abroad experience, as well as your aptitude for such an experience. In your essay, please address the following questions:

1. Where are you planning to study abroad, and when?

2. Describe yourself. (Suggested: Do you generally like to try new things? Talk about a time when you learned something new. How do you deal with difficult situations? How well do you handle change? Tell about an experience or challenge in your life that has helped you grow into the person you are.)

3. Why do you want to study abroad? (Suggested: How would it benefit you? How might the experience change you? How will study abroad affect your life?)

4. What are the qualities of a good cultural ambassador? (Suggested: What do you think would be the behaviors, attitudes and habits you should have when abroad in order to have a successful study abroad experience—both as a learner of language and culture, and as an emissary of your country?

5. Why are you an ideal candidate for study abroad? Why should you receive the Study Abroad Scholarship for Spanish? (Financial need may be considered but will not be the sole deciding factor in awarding this scholarship.)

Please be sure that it is an essay and not just a list of answers.

Language Sample: Write 250 words explaining why you would like to study abroad, and why you should be chosen for this award.

All materials must be submitted no later than February 28, 2014 by 5pm

Your application should be submitted electronically to Dr. Timothy Wilson at tim.wilson@alaska.edu.

Information and Links

Were you a Foreign Language, Japanese Studies, or Russian Studies Major or Minor?E-mail us and tell us what you're up to these days!

Italian (ITAL), Arabic (ARAB), Chinese (CHNS) and American Sign Language (ASLG) courses at UAF are offered through the Community & Technical College -- please contact CTC for more information about those classes.